Enforce existing laws and leave NRA alone

A recent guest editorial in the Times Recorder, "Don't give up on assault weapon ban," merely rehashed all the emotional flotsam from gun-grabbers. First of all, someone define "assault weapon" for me. Secondly, someone tell me why the government should take guns away from law-abiding citizens when they don't bother to enforce the laws already on the books. Third, it makes more sense to ban hands, fists and feet, because according to FBI statistics more Americans die from those than from rifles of any variety.

Our founding fathers could only get their constitution ratified with the promise to add a Bill of Rights. The first ten amendments were a direct result of defending the freedoms that the British tried to deny the colonies. If you read the Federalist Papers, you get the idea that they were ranked in order of importance, with the right to bear arms behind only freedom of speech, assembly and religion. The founders knew the dangers of tyrannical rule and were concerned about "the tyranny of the majority," hence the inclusion of checks and balances into our system of government. The last thing that they wanted was 51% of the populace running roughshod over the minority.

The NRA has done more to promote gun safety than Jim Brady, Gabby Gifford or any of the other victims for gun control. The organization has been singled out as a strawman to attack as an evil entity.

Folks like Diane Feinstein and the mayor of New York should ensure that the multitude of gun laws already on the books are enforced and leave the NRA alone to do what it has always done, promote gun safety and the rights of gun owners.

Herbert L. Fitzer

Zanesville

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Enforce existing laws and leave NRA alone

A recent guest editorial in the Times Recorder, 'Don't give up on assault weapon ban,' merely rehashed all the emotional flotsam from gun-grabbers. First of all, someone define '